World No. 1 Jannik Sinner demonstrated his class on Wednesday by defeating 19‑year‑old wild‑card entrant Rafael Jodar 6‑2, 7‑6 (7‑0) in the quarter‑finals of the Madrid Open. The victory not only secured his place in the semi‑finals but also made him the sixth player in history to reach the semi‑final stage of all nine ATP Masters 1000 events. From the opening game, the 24‑year‑old Italian displayed a disciplined, aggressive style.
He broke the home favourite twice in the first set, building a comfortable 5‑2 lead before sealing the set with a powerful backhand winner. Sinner’s early dominance set the tone, yet Jodar, fresh off a maiden tour title in Morocco, showed why he had earned his wild‑card by pushing the Italian into a tight second set. In the second set, Jodar surged ahead 4‑2, putting pressure on Sinner and creating several break‑point opportunities. The Spaniard, however, remained composed, saving two break points to level the score at 3‑3.
A double fault from Sinner briefly gave Jodar another chance to break, but the world‑number‑one responded with a crisp cross‑court forehand and two precise backhand winners that clipped the sideline, forcing Jodar to defend fiercely. Sinner then raced to a 40‑15 advantage in the following game, yet Jodar fought back, saving three break points before eventually taking the game himself. The momentum swung back and forth, but Sinner’s experience on clay shone through.
He maintained a high level of play, mixing heavy topspin with sharp angles, and eventually forced a tiebreak. The tiebreak was a showcase of Sinner’s attacking mindset. He raced ahead, winning point after point, and ultimately closed it out 7‑0, sealing a straight‑sets victory.
The win was particularly meaningful as Sinner is chasing his second clay‑court title of the season after his triumph at the Monte‑Carlo Masters. Speaking to Sky Sports Tennis after the match, Sinner praised his opponent: "He’s an incredible player, and Spain now has another fantastic talent. It was a tough challenge; I knew before the match that it would be difficult to beat him, especially on these conditions.
He knows the courts here very well. I managed to stay a little bit luckier in the second set and tried to keep the level as high as possible. I’m happy with how I finished the match – I tried to speed up a bit and that helped me." Sinner’s next opponent in the semi‑finals will be determined in the upcoming match between Arthur Fils and Jiri Lehecka, both of whom are slated to play later on Wednesday. In the women's draw, another remarkable story unfolded.
Anastasia Potapova, a Russian‑born Austrian who entered the tournament as a lucky loser after losing in qualifying, made history by becoming the first lucky loser to reach a WTA 1000 semi‑final. She achieved this feat with a thrilling 6‑1, 6‑7 (4‑7), 6‑3 victory over former world No.
1 Karolina Pliskova. Potapova’s run has been nothing short of spectacular.
After her qualifying defeat, she seized the unexpected main‑draw spot and proceeded to upset top players, including former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko and world No. 2 Elena Rybakina.
When asked whether she ever imagined being among the final four after her qualifying loss, the unseeded Potapova replied, "No, I wouldn’t have believed it for any amount of money. That’s what makes our sport beautiful – I was given a second chance and now I’m here.
I’m super happy; there’s nothing better that could happen to me right now." The semi‑final against Marta Kostyuk will be Potapova’s next challenge. Kostyuk, who defeated Potapova in the fourth round of the Madrid Open last year, has been unbeaten on clay this season and will look to continue her dominant form. Both the ATP and WTA events in Madrid continue to draw global attention, with live coverage available on Sky Sports and streaming via NOW and the Sky Sports app. Fans can enjoy over 50 percent more live sport this year at no additional cost, making the tournament accessible to a broad audience.
Overall, the Madrid Open has highlighted the depth of talent across both tours. Sinner’s steady march toward a potential second clay title underscores his adaptability and mental toughness, while Potapova’s Cinderella story exemplifies the unpredictable excitement that makes tennis a beloved sport worldwide.